Fly Fishing Trips, Vacations, Equipment & Gear: August 2009

The problem with buying fish

This is a great blog post by a writer named Cathy Erway. In it she explains that the fish you are buying at grocery stores and restaurants may be a bad choice for a variety of reasons. Catch methods, overfishing and all sorts of things to consider. And fish farming is not the answer either unfortunately:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cathy-erway/the-pescatores-dilemma_b_246373.html

R.I.P. Ricky

I got a phone call yesterday and Josh told me that Ricky was had died in a car accident on the freeway early that morning. I asked him if he knew what happened, and he said he didn't but would call me back if he heard anything. The connection clicked off and I was left standing in Mike's living room in silence staring out the window at the mountains and clouds and cactus.

The realization of loss is not immediate, but like grains of sand in an hour glass it slowly builds until its weight is crushing and it pulls you down making even the simplest of life's actions seem impossible.

Cliché expressions such as "it couldn't have happened to a better person" never held any water to me but now I understand and believe it true. The sun rose yesterday as any other day, but the world was a little less bright and one more family was morning the loss of a child. It happens every day, but yesterday it was my friend.

In life Ricky was the type of person you were always glad to see. He was quick with a smile and a laugh and would keep us doubled over in hysterics with impersonations and silly voices from the pale couch in our band's practice room.

I know him best as a musician, standing in front of his amp with his guitar slung low in the shadow of the red and green stage lights pounding power chords and strumming melodies with a quiet confidence.

I am sure wherever he is now, he is kicking ass and rockin' out with a smile on his face, hoping that his friends back in the world don't stay bummed out for too long, but it's tough dude. You will be missed.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports August 31st, 2009

Olga Dubois with her first ever Striped Bass caught this afternoon (08/31/09) on the Kennebec river

Nez Perce Creek, WY Fly Fishing Photos

Darin Wallentine

Tucson, AZ

Nez Perce Creek, WY

(Yellowstone National Park)

July 2008

Maine Striper Fishing Report August 30th, 2009

Day two today with Roger & Derrik Flahive...a much different day than yesterdays tropical storm conditions...Bright sun and eager Stripers made for another fun day...we quickly connected with a double header within minutes from leaving the dock...several more fish quickly followed before we were mugged by the weekend warrior fleet...it never ceases to amaze me how people feel the need to motor repeatedly directly over big schools of feeding stripers...what's even more amazing is that the same folks that run the fish over wonder why they're not catching...incredible!!!...no worries though plenty of fishy water for us to work. we spent some serious time working the next location...and were rewarded over and over again!!!

No Reservations...

Anthony Bourdain does it Montana style tomorrow night a 7:00 pm on the Travel channel.

The Youtubes previews of this soiree look mighty inviting.

Enjoy!

Look what I can do!

I can use my Gloomis 4 weight to catch a 10 lb. Bow!!!!

Bosnia and Herzegovina Fly Fishing Report

Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Place: Konjic
River: Neretva
Fish: Mekousna trout
FFC "Mekousna" Konjic http://mekousna-konjic.tk/

Mekousna trout - Endemic species of fish in Bosnia and Herzegovina. "Mekousna" means - "soft lips" - as seen from the mouth shape.

Maine Saltwater Fishing Report August 29th, 2009 Tropical Storm "Danny"

The last several days have been super busy with double header trips every day...today 08/29/09 I had a full day 8hr trip With Roger & Derrik Flahive from Littleton, Co aboard for some stormy weather fly and light tackle fishing...we were able to find some sheltered waters in the river...and some fish!!! check out the pics and the crazy NOAA weather report below (yes that is sideways rain that we were fishing in!!!) Roger & Derrik will be back aboard tomorrow

ANZ150-152-154-300700-
STONINGTON ME TO PORT CLYDE ME OUT TO 25 NM-
PORT CLYDE ME TO CAPE ELIZABETH ME OUT TO 25 NM-
CAPE ELIZABETH ME TO MERRIMACK RIVER MA OUT TO 25 NM-
1246 PM EDT SAT AUG 29 2009

GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT

TODAY
E TO NE WINDS 20 TO 30 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 KT...
SEAS 7 TO 10 FT. SHOWERS. AREAS OF FOG. VSBY 1 TO 3 NM.

TONIGHT
NE WINDS 20 TO 30 KT...BECOMING NW AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS
6 TO 9 FT. SHOWERS...MAINLY IN THE EVENING. WIDESPREAD FOG. VSBY
1 TO 3 NM.

If you're looking to fish with us this September...please call us soon for available dates!!
Capt. George Harris
207-691-0745
www.superfly-charters.com

Reds in the skinny

Got some nice fish busting shrimp right out of the water this morning. A lot of people were put off due to TS Danny offshore. Churchill's Law of Whether Or Not To Go When The Weather Is Bad: "We are going until we aren't going." I was the only one out there for four hours.
I also shot some nice video.

Delaware River Threat!

Siphon Hydroelectric Dams are being pursued by NYC!

Daily Gazette

Thursday, August 27, 2009

MORGAN LYLE

Power plant licensing process open to comment. What happens in the next two weeks may determine whether the public gets a say in New York City’s plan to build hydro power plants at its reservoirs on the east and west branches of the Delaware River and the Neversink River.

New York City announced Aug. 13 it will seek a federal license to install power plants at its water supply reservoir dams in the Catskills. The announcement started a 30-day window for public comments on whether the city gets to use the “traditional” licensing process or the “integrated” one.

The difference is crucial. In an “integrated”licensing process, the city would have to conduct studies of the impact of the hydro plants, similar to those required under New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act. In a “traditional” licensing, the city would be under no such obligation–and the “traditional” approach is the one it wants.

The last time New York City talked about putting turbines on the state’s best trout rivers, back in the 1970s, it was “swarmed” by environmentalists who defeated the plan, said Greg Starheim, chief executive officer of the Delaware County Electric Cooperative. The non-profit cooperative declared its own interest in installing hydro power plants at the Catskill reservoirs in June 2008, but the city then filed a competing application and won the right to apply for the license from the federal government. “The approach that the city is taking environmentally is very different from ours, and we think they’re running right into the same situation they did in the ’70s, with little regard for fish and wildlife,” Starheim said. “As they go through the licensing process, they’re going to get crucified, and rightly so. ”It’s not clear whether the city really even wants to build and operate power plants.

Sen. Charles Schumer says it doesn’t, and has urged the city to let the electric cooperative proceed with its plan. Starheim said he thinks the city acted “in part to block us from doing this.” The city isn’t answering questions and has only issued a statement saying it “continues to work closely with DCEC. ”What is clear, however, is that New York City has been granted an official permit by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to apply for a license to operate power plants on blue-ribbon trout rivers, and wants permission to avoid any serious scrutiny in the process. Until it says otherwise, we should assume it means business.

The process for electronically filing comments to the FERC requires that you go to http://www.ferc.gov/, click “For Citizens,” then click “Get Involved.” You can postal mail a comment toOffice of the Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20426. Refer to “West of HudsonHydroelectric Project, Project No. 13287” in your correspondence.

Unlike the city, the DEC is willing to candidly discuss its plans, and says it welcomes a thorough environmental review. Starheim said flows from the Cannonsville, Pepacton and Neversink reservoirs would continue to be governed, as they are now, by the Delaware River Basin Commission, which has voting members from New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York City. The flows would not be altered for the purpose of generating power.

Starheim acknowledged, however, that the DEC’s plan to bring water over the dams in siphons could introduce water that is warmer than what is currently released from penstocks at the bottoms of the dams themselves. The cold water from the dams is essential for the high-quality trout habitat of the Catskill tailwaters. “I’m not at all discounting that in a pure siphon approach, there would be warmer water coming over the dam,” Starheim said. “There needs to be some kind of combination here, and you don’t have the answer until you do the licensing study.”

Coffee Creek, CA Fly Fishing Report

Dan Wallentine
Irvine, CA

Body of Water: Coffee Creek (Trinity County, California)
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009
# of Fish Caught: 17
Species: Rainbow Trout
Size: Up to 11"
Effective Flies: #10 Royal Stimulator with droppers including #14 Prince Nymph and red Copper John droppers
Summary: For most of the details of this location and day of fishing see Sean's report below; no need to submit duplicate info.

I have always enjoyed secluded mountain streams with the constant sounds of the water and cooperative native fish. Coffee Creek is one of those special places. Sometimes those special places hold surprises too.

Toward the end of the day I was fishing the left side of the stream while Sean was fishing the right. We were in a sort of zone; catching a releasing numerous small fish. As I was moving up to the next pocket my foot slipped off of a rock with a thud and instantly there was a loud shoreline rattle; a short rattle in time but loud nonetheless. It took me a moment to gather my attention and at the same time Sean said, "what was that?"
"It sounded like a rattlesnake," I responded. Then looking to my left, sure enough there he was slithering along the bank away from me. Needless to say, our fishing was interrupted while we photographed and filmed it. In thirty years of fishing this is only my second encounter with a rattler. The first was along Deep Creek in the Lake Arrowhead area of Southern California.

So, be careful and alert when entering and exiting the water there are more native creatures than just the fish.

Friday Bacon!

This Friday we present a special edition of the Friday Bacon:

The story of Curli...

At an early age it became obvious that Curli was no ordinary bambino, he had already displayed an un-natural affinity for that universal condiment we all know and love, bacon.

Here's an early photo of the neighborhood boys, thats Curli on the right, getting their class photos. They were so cute, weren't they.

Here's Curli hard at work in the lab...

developing this wonderful new odorizing spray.

Not sure why this is here, it is just, well, disturbing.

The Evening Hatch.....

Christian Hill

Colorado Springs, CO

Practice Catch and Release!

The America Cup: Day Two

NC Fly Fishing Team Member Kevin Lowe - FlyfishMagazine.com File photo

Here is an update from the NC Fly Fishing Team members taking part in The America Cup:

Ryan Harmon and Kevin Lowe are in 1st place with 80 fish on day 2.

Chris Lee and Eugene Shuler have a good grasp on 2nd.

Michael Yelton and Paul Colcord are in the running at 6th place.

The big test comes tomorrow when action turns to still waters.... Stay tuned for more info.

Fat Guys, fishbeer and some yeast poop in CO

I knew it would happen sooner or later, and that it would be sweet. I have always praised the combination and understood that there is a love-love relationship between being outdoors and enjoying a few oat sodas, but I think few men have taken it to the level of Matt Dunn, the mastermind behind Fishbeer.com, who just happened to occupy the same space and time with a few fat guys last weekend, (including Michael Gracie, the self-proclaimed 3/4 fat guy).

The atmosphere was light, and the 20oz draughts were cold at Govnr's Park as the conversation fluttered around fishing, midgets (as it will often do in the presence of Kyle) and beer. Matt spoke about the class that he taught in Indiana The Art and Science of Beer: History, Technology, and Culture and the disappointment of frat boys who realize too late that "beer bong dynamics" is not covered in the course. He enlightened us uneducated beer-drinkers that in the past men, women and children alike drank beer daily, and I have learned by perusing one of his online power-point lectures that the first recorded recipe is for brewing beer. Awesome.

It does not take long to understand that Matt knows a lot about beer and has a great passion about the subject - and I don't mean like your buddy who brewed it once in his kitchen and feels smart in front of the ladies when talking about things like "mouthfeel," "palate," and "nose." Matt is a pro, and was more than happy to do a little R&D with some new friends in Denver.

After a few rounds, some tasty drinks and food the afternoon came to an end, and we had to depart. Matt will be running around Colorado for a few more weeks, and I believe he has plans to camp and do some hot-nighttime-mouse-on-river action with Gracie tomorrow. Keep an eye out on Gracie's site for that post, as I threw him some hot tips for night photography that I hope will pay off with some full-moon eye candy.

Matt, it was a pleasure, and you are welcome down here is AZ anytime. The fishing may not be as good as CO, but the drinking is first-rate.

-Alex who should stay behind the camera.

America Cup Standings

This week several North Carolina Fly Fishing Team members are competing in The America Cup being held in Frisco, Colorado. The America Cup is a fishing rally where anglers can choose their water each day. Anglers fish rivers for two days of the three day event with the final day being devoted to still waters.

NCFFT member and angler behind The Granddaddy Fly Fishing Experience, Michael Yelton reports a strong showing for the boys from down South as they go up against teams from as far away as Australia.

Day 1 Team results

Eugene Shuler & Chris Lee 29820 pts.

Kevin Lowe & Ryan Harmon 29240 pts.

Adam Boehlk & Steve Bowka 20060 pts. (Team Blue Quill Angler)

Chris Lee is the individual leader with 16720 pts.

Follow all the competitor's progress at http://www.theamericacup.com/scoring.html

Lake Davis, CA Fly Fishing Report

Sean Wallentine
Sacramento, CA

Body of Water: Lake Davis, CA (Plumas County near Portola)
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2009
# of Fish Caught: 1
Species: Rainbow Trout
Size: 14"
Effective Flies: #14 Blood Midge
Summary: My first time on Lake Davis. Fished with some friends. Fishing was slow. Among us we only caught 6 fish. While fish were hitting the surface, the fish we caught were on streamers with droppers and sink tip line.

We fished the west side of the lake using pontoon boats. We took a dirt road down the water's edge a little north of the boat launch.

I actually saw several mature blood midges on the surface (stunningly beautiful adult fly; soft white wings and red body). I also saw brown damsel flies swimming near the surface. There were several adult damsels flying around. Mayflies were abundant and there were caddis as well.

Lake Davis has been very controversial due to some rogue idiot who has twice planted Northern Pike in the lake. The state and feds have both killed the lake twice now. The Pike seem to be gone...for now.

For more on Lake Davis do a Google search or check out this link for general information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Davis,_California

Stereotypes

Hmmm.. Oh well the food was great.

Madison River, WY YNP Fly Fishing Report

Darin Wallentine

Tucson, AZ

Madison River, WY (Yellowstone National Park)

October 2005

Rainbow Trout

Flies Used: Red Atomic Worm #8 and Beaded Prince Nymph #12

Other Details: Fished a number off spots along the West Entrance Road. The most productive method was indicator nymphing along with the occasional switch to streamers.

Aaron says "Sometimes you have to punish yourself"

Apparently it rained while I was gone, and Aaron found some upside down fish.

Motivation Revisited

Some motivation to help you through your hump day.

Midcoast Maine Saltwater Fishing Reports August 25th, 2009

Two trips today...trip one had Todd Culbertson and his wife aboard to sample some of the great Striper fishing taking place in Maine right now...

Trip two had Steve Marx and family aboard...very fun trip...check out the pics of Steve,Kate & Boys...fun times for Maine striper fishermen right now!!! Steve also helped me change a flat tire on the boat trailer when we got into the dock...what a great guy!!!